Legalizing the ‘Okada’ business is unwise

Business news for Thursday, September 24, 2020

Source: thefinderonline.com

2020-09-24

The Ghana Association of Concerned Drivers has criticized former President John Mahama’s promise to legalize the ‘okada’ business should he be re-elected president in the December 7 elections.

According to the association, nothing is gained from the legalization of the okada, except to increase traffic accidents and victims, as well as the peace and stability of the transport industry.

Former President John Mahama, in his manifesto, said his government will legalize the commercial operation of ‘okada’ when he is elected to power in 2021.

According to him, the ‘okada’ business has become a livelihood for unemployed youth.

But the association, with more than a million people across the country, also indicated that the legalization of okada in Ghana can exacerbate indiscipline and accidents on our roads.

He believes that, in addition to unhealthy competition, the legalization of ‘okada’ will create havoc and chaos on the roads for commercial and private drivers.

The association’s secretary, Nana Owiredu, at a press conference in Accra, noted that what the association expected as a promise from a political party was the implementation of the ban since 2012, according to the rule of law, and not a promise of legalize. it is for political convenience.

He said that when it is legalized, thousands of okada riders will emerge overnight, making regulation impossible.

“Rather, we will support measures to help ‘okada’ passengers to join the vehicle transport business rather than legalizing okada to create problems on our roads. Therefore, we demand an immediate application of the 2012 Road Traffic Regulations, not the legalization of the okada ”, he added.

He further stated: “We expect solutions, not problems, from our leaders. Therefore, we encourage the NDC to reconsider its manifest promise to avoid the impending calamity of its decision. “

“The NDC promises to legalize the okada to create jobs. While we are not opposed to job creation for our brothers traveling on okada, the NDC appears to ignore the effect of its promise on our livelihoods. For us, this belated promise to legalize the okada amounts to stealing from Peter to pay Paul. ”

“In other words, Okada cyclists will be given jobs while we lose ours. Therefore, we will not stand aside from the NDC or any political party to legalize ‘okada’.

The association, he stressed, strongly opposes the legalization of okada in Ghana because it amounts to endangering the lives of passengers and the livelihoods of millions of our members.

He noted that even though accidents occur with cars, it is unmatched by okada’s accident rates, citing more than 4,000 motorcycle accident cases with 732 deaths from the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority records in 2018 alone.

“Even in Nigeria, where the okada emanates from, the okada has been outlawed when it is caught between the discussion for employment and the bloodshed on its roads. It is only with the alcohol hangover that we have heard that one must drink more to heal, but we are warned to stay away from danger and not jump into most situations in life. In our opinion, the state of Lagos in Nigeria has chosen to err on the side of caution and we prescribe the same for Ghana ”, he emphasized.